Summary:
In "Good Form" Tim O'Brien discusses the difference between story truth and happening truth and the structure of all of his stories. He makes a confession about the man that he killed in My Khe that he did not really kill him, but being in his presence was enough guilt for him. He explains that he might have exaggerated a bit because he wanted his audience to feel what he felt, to be present with him. O'Brien strongly believes that story truth is sometimes much more real than happening truth. His view was that his stories made everything feel so raw and present.
Response:
When I got to the point of reading "Good Form" it all made sense to me. I had finally figured out his tactics when it came to his style of writing. I agree with O'Brien and his idea of story truth being truer than happening truth because it entices more emotions and makes the reader feel like they are in his own shoes. Something about war stories like his have always interested me because they create an image in my mind of every minor detail from the setting to the characteristics of the soldiers and it makes me feel like I am on the same journey as them. It is a much different light to imagine, but something so invigorating and eye-opening.
i agree with you, reading a story truth sometimes can be confusing, but when reading a story truth you can assure as a writer that you will make the reader gets into the story in a very emotional way. i feel like when reading a story in a story truth it can be more entertaining than a happening truth that it make it some what boring and plain. Like you said i also like his style of reading, i haven't read any book like O'Brien book. He may not be clear on what he is telling us but their is a point in the book like "good form" that all his stories click. All this stories start making sense.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kayla, story-truth was much better than happening-truth because it gives you a feeling and imagination that you are there with O'Brien. I now too understand why O'Brien says story-truth is truer than happening-truth. Then way O'Brien writes his book was very interesting and had me so into the stories.
ReplyDeleteIn saying that O'Brien connects more to story truth rather then happening truth, I agree with you. This is so because throught his stories all his story truth war stories are much more detailed and emotional and relatable then those of happening truth which he tells. I was able to relate to and understand what you were saying in your blog post because I too often build the scenario in my head and can imagine what it looks like and all. I think this is a great way to read and understand a book because I think it helps clarify what is happening and brimgs a connection between you and the work.
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